CMC'S
NEWS' REVIEW (IX), by Marina Dorca
News'
title:
Fracking wastes may
be toxic, tests show
Date
of publication: April 5, 2015
Source
of information: Science news for students
Scientific
field:
environmental
biology
Extract
This article talks about hydraulic fracking, which consists on extracting oil or gas from deep underground.
This technique involves watery wastes that may be toxic as they contain some chemicals. The consequences are varied; they range from contaminated ground water to affected hormones. Scientists have found out that fracking-fluids alter the effects of hormones, preventing them from developing its role.
Moreover, many energy companies use this procedure and, furthermore, they seldom disclose the precise recipe of chemicals in their fracking fluids.
Besides, last research with mice shows some other fracking chemicals effects such as obesity and heart defects.
Critical
appraisal
World energy sources: pros and cons
As we have seen in this article, oil and gas fracking could make us suffer health problems and endocrine defects. All this kind of news, added to the ones about pollution, lead me to wonder if our world does have a good energy policy.
As far as I'm concerned, a great percentage of the energy we use comes from non-renewable energy sources. This type of energy ranges from petrol to gas and oil.
In my opinion, we should cut down on the use of this kind of energies for many reasons. Firstly, barely all of them are very contaminating. According to this article, fracking pollutes ground water amid other consequences. Moreover, they are running out, so we won't be able to use them long-term. And, last but not least, the exposures of fracking chemicals have negative effects on people's health, as recent research has discovered.
Besides, I think the attitude of energy companies is very irresponsible, because they almost never show its precise recipe of chemicals. This may indicate that they have something to hide about the chemicals they use. That means they may be using polluting chemicals, and I believe they shouldn't.
So I'd propose to change non-renewable energy sources to renewable ones. I think it would be good for everyone, because there are lots of advantages: they are inexhaustible and, moreover, they don't contaminate as much as non-renewable energies do. Although it may be more expensive at first, I guess it would be better for us all long-term.
So, in conclusion, I reckon that we should consider changing the global energy system based on oil and other similar non-renewable energy, as I believe we'll appreciate it later.
World energy sources: pros and cons
As we have seen in this article, oil and gas fracking could make us suffer health problems and endocrine defects. All this kind of news, added to the ones about pollution, lead me to wonder if our world does have a good energy policy.
As far as I'm concerned, a great percentage of the energy we use comes from non-renewable energy sources. This type of energy ranges from petrol to gas and oil.
In my opinion, we should cut down on the use of this kind of energies for many reasons. Firstly, barely all of them are very contaminating. According to this article, fracking pollutes ground water amid other consequences. Moreover, they are running out, so we won't be able to use them long-term. And, last but not least, the exposures of fracking chemicals have negative effects on people's health, as recent research has discovered.
Besides, I think the attitude of energy companies is very irresponsible, because they almost never show its precise recipe of chemicals. This may indicate that they have something to hide about the chemicals they use. That means they may be using polluting chemicals, and I believe they shouldn't.
So I'd propose to change non-renewable energy sources to renewable ones. I think it would be good for everyone, because there are lots of advantages: they are inexhaustible and, moreover, they don't contaminate as much as non-renewable energies do. Although it may be more expensive at first, I guess it would be better for us all long-term.
So, in conclusion, I reckon that we should consider changing the global energy system based on oil and other similar non-renewable energy, as I believe we'll appreciate it later.
Glossary
cyst A group of cells that form a type of bubble-like shell or sac. Some cysts develop as a result of disease or tissue damage. Others may develop as a normal, protective during certain phases of a parasite’s maturation.
endocrine disruptor A substance that mimics the action (sometimes well, sometimes poorly) of one of the body’s natural hormones. By doing this, the fake hormone can inappropriately turn on, speed up or shut down important cellular processes.
endocrine system The hormones (chemicals secreted by the body) and the tissues in which they turn on (or off) cellular action. Medical doctors who study the role of hormones in health and disease are known as endocrinologists. So are the biologists who study hormone systems in non-human animals.
epidemiologist Like health detectives, these researchers figure out what causes a particular illness and how to limit its spread.
hydraulic fracturing, or fracking The cracking open of undergound rocks by introducing liquid at high pressure, especially to extract natural gas. Those cracks are then held open by sand that had been added to the fracking fluid.
testis (plural: testes) The organ in the males of many animal species that makes sperm, the reproductive cells that fertilize eggs. This organ also is the primary site that makes testosterone, the primary male sex hormone.
toxic Poisonous or able to harm or kill cells, tissues or whole organisms. The measure of risk posed by such a poison is its toxicity.
Video: This video below talks about what is fracking. It's very interesting!! Hope you enjoy it;)
cyst A group of cells that form a type of bubble-like shell or sac. Some cysts develop as a result of disease or tissue damage. Others may develop as a normal, protective during certain phases of a parasite’s maturation.
endocrine disruptor A substance that mimics the action (sometimes well, sometimes poorly) of one of the body’s natural hormones. By doing this, the fake hormone can inappropriately turn on, speed up or shut down important cellular processes.
endocrine system The hormones (chemicals secreted by the body) and the tissues in which they turn on (or off) cellular action. Medical doctors who study the role of hormones in health and disease are known as endocrinologists. So are the biologists who study hormone systems in non-human animals.
epidemiologist Like health detectives, these researchers figure out what causes a particular illness and how to limit its spread.
hydraulic fracturing, or fracking The cracking open of undergound rocks by introducing liquid at high pressure, especially to extract natural gas. Those cracks are then held open by sand that had been added to the fracking fluid.
testis (plural: testes) The organ in the males of many animal species that makes sperm, the reproductive cells that fertilize eggs. This organ also is the primary site that makes testosterone, the primary male sex hormone.
toxic Poisonous or able to harm or kill cells, tissues or whole organisms. The measure of risk posed by such a poison is its toxicity.
Video: This video below talks about what is fracking. It's very interesting!! Hope you enjoy it;)
